Patient Access Specialist (OCC)

St. Tammany Parish Hospital; United States; On-site; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Tammany Health System is seeking a Patient Access Specialist to perform registration, check-in/check-out, and insurance verification for inpatient and outpatient services.

You will support patient throughput, communicate clearly with patients and staff, and ensure accurate data collection while maintaining HIPAA compliance. Responsibilities include scheduling appointments for Cardiovascular Services, posting point-of-service payments, and resolving patient balances.

Qualifications

• 1 year of customer service experience in a medical/office setting preferred.
• Experience with registration, check-in/check-out, and scheduling is desirable.
• Understanding of HIPAA and patient confidentiality policies is required.

Responsibilities

• Register patients and verify insurance and benefits.
• Schedule appointments and coordinate with Cardiovascular Services as needed.
• Handle billing inquiries and assist with patient balance resolution.
• Maintain accurate patient information with confidentiality.

Skills

Customer service

HIPAA compliance

Communication

Attention to detail

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

EPIC

Job description

At St. Tammany Health System, delivering world-class healthcare close to home is our goal. That means we are committed to attracting and retaining the very best professionals for every position in our health system. We believe the pristine beauty of St. Tammany Parish adds to our attractive compensation package. The health system is nestled in the heart of Covington on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain. It is a peaceful, scenic, community-oriented area with an abundance of amenities to suit every taste.

JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40 Work Shift: Monday - Friday: 5:30a - 2:00p or 8:00a - 4:30p | No Call, Weekends or Holidays

Summary of the Job

The Patient Access Specialist is responsible for completing efficient and organized processes in the areas of registration, check-in/check-out, admission, insurance initiation and verification and benefit research for inpatients/outpatients and scheduling of appointments. Excellent customer service skills are crucial in these roles as well as flexibility in work shifts. The Patient Access Specialist must ensure that accurate information is collected, that they are always sensitive to the confidentiality of this information, and that patients are aware of their rights as determined by HIPAA regulations and company policy, and that they are a consistent proponent of patient throughput and volume growth. The Outpatient Cardiology Center Patient Access Specialist responsibilities include duties such as verifying insurance coverage, benefits, completing registration in EPIC, receiving, maintaining, clarifying, entering and/or validating physician orders, scheduling appointments for all Cardiovascular Services departments, handling daily batching and posting of point of service payments and having conversations with patients to resolve previous and current balances. Maintains a positive relationship with healthcare team and is a resource to physicians, staff and patients for information regarding orders, insurance and referrals, as well as any other issues that might impact the relationship/experience of these stakeholders.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Some college preferred.
• At least 1 year of previous customer service experience in an office/medical office environment including scheduling, admitting, and/or financial counseling.

Preferred Qualifications

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills demonstrating the ability to communicate effectively and courteously with physician office staff, patients, and/or insurance carriers.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced professional environment.
• The ability to work flexible hours and different locations (i.e. provider clinics, specialty clinics, outpatient and inpatient registration areas, emergency room registration, scheduling, and pre-certification).
• Demonstrated competency to successfully perform Patient Access Representative duties which would typically be obtained through 12 months direct experience.
• Ability to understand and solve complex problems dealing with governmental entitlement programs, commercial insurance requirements, contractual obligations, and reporting requirements.
• Ability to apply the use and terminology associated with CPT and ICD-10 coding, as well as basic anatomy/physiology, and out-patient diagnostic testing medical terminology, Medicare guidelines, HMO and PPO contracts and other insurance billing processes.
• Excellent organizational skills and maintains a professional and neat work environment.

Physical Demands

Must possess good physical health. Some requirements include but are not limited to standing, sitting or walking for long periods of time. Lifting at least 20 pounds is required. Must be able to work with a moderate level of noise. Physical Effort required: Constant (67%-100%) - handling/feeling, talking, hearing, seeing Frequently (34%-66%) – reaching Occasionally (1%-33%) - lifting, carrying, pushing/pulling, climbing (stairs, ladders, etc.), balancing, stooping, crouching.

EMPLOYMENT

Each St. Tammany Health System staff member is expected to conduct himself or herself according to our mission, vision and values.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

St. Tammany Health System is an Equal Opportunity Employer. St. Tammany Health System is committed to equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability status, genetic information or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

St. Tammany Health System is a full-service acute care facility that delivers today’s life-improving procedures with the latest technology, highest quality and the utmost care to area residents. From wellness and prevention to diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and recovery, the St. Tammany Health System delivers the very latest technology, the most accomplished specialists and highly personalized, caring staff to ensure patients and their families receive world-class healthcare close to home. St. Tammany Health System is an independent service district in a clinically integrated partnership with Ochsner Health System. Together, the two organizations focus on aligning their healthcare offerings to best serve patients and families in west St. Tammany Parish and surrounding areas.